Vendor Spotlight: No Bow No Go Top Notch Templates and Bow Instructions

Reported by Beth Silaika

I have always been jealous of those moms who are able to 1. get their children to comb their hair and 2. get their children to accessorize with adorable little bows and ribbons. If only I could make those adorable little hair decorations. When the opportunity to review the No Bow No Go Instructions and TNT Top Notch Templates product, I was so excited to be able to create something for the two children who still let me get them dressed!





This 131 page spiral bound instruction book and top notch templates set (of twelve) was very nicely put together. The pages are easy to read and the photographs are clear and they are labeled very well. There are even safety tips for people creating bows, since some of the tools which you need to use to create the bows are quite dangerous if they are not set up properly or if they are touched by little hands.



The templates are made of clear plastic and are made to last a long time. They are clearly marked in the corners to let you know which template is which. There are instructions in the manual to let you know the finished bow size (which correlates with the template number) how much ribbon length is required to create one bow, and which size ribbon looks best with each template.


After skimming through the book a few times, I decided to create a few bows for my youngest two daughters. I gathered my supplies (hot glue gun, alligator or french barrette clips, scissors, needle and thread, ribbon)


First, you attach the ribbon to your clip. Here I used a French Barrette Clip.
The next step is to wrap ribbon around your template. There is a nice slit in the template which allows you to sew the center of your bow. Here you can see that I am sewing the center with a few stitches.
I used some clips on each end to hold the ribbon tight to the template while I sewed it in the center.
I slid the ribbon off the template and started to fluff the ribbon. I followed the instructions which told me to create a "center" of the bow. I used a straight center, wrapping the ribbon around and hot gluing the back. I trimmed the ribbon ends in a V-cut.
I attached the finished ribbon to the barrette clip.
Tah-da! It looks great! Genevieve tolerated it for about 1 minute. She loved the color, and I love the fact that I can create them to look just like any outfit she might have in her closet.
Sophie stumbled into the room and requested a purple one for her hair. It was so simple to create, I was able to whip one up for her in about 5 minutes. She wore her bow for the rest of the day!

Pros:

• There are several book options available, including digital downloads of the instruction book.
• Templates come in 4, 9 and 12 template sets to fit in your budget
  
• Additional instructions are available for a nominal fee
• Great asset for you if you are starting a small craft business
• Simple, easy to follow instructions
• Clear photographs
• wide variety of bows (including stacked, twisted, pinwheel and split tail to name a few) with ribbon color and width options = endless possibilities
• heavy duty template, will not easily break or crack

Cons:

• Really cannot find any cons...this is a great resource for someone who is interested in creating their own hair bows!

The No Bow No Go Instruction booklet and TNT Top Notch Templates can be purchased online at their website {NoBowNoGo.com}.

How cute are these bows?! Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!

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It's time to announce the winners for the new Craft Critique Newsletter (debuting September 15th)!  

Read on to see if you've won... if you see your name listed below as a winner, send your mailing address to info@craftcritique.com and please put "I Won" in the subject line. Please make sure you see your email listed below before you email us.  Your email address must match the one you submitted for the newsletter.

We will be sending the new Craft Critique Newsletter out at least monthly, and it will contain inspiration, tips and interviews with your favorite crafty celebrities, all the latest on crafting trends, exclusive tutorials, contests, giveaways, special discounts and coupons for our amazing readers!  Signing up is FREE!


Now the prizes!


Studio Calico will be sending one lucky reader a full collection of their new "Documentary" line!
Winner: Carrol Scanlan


The Picture Keeper gave us a 4G PK to give away!  Read our reviews of this revolutionary product HERE.
Winner: Donna Urban


Oh My Crafts has teamed up with Canada's own Wendy Russell and is giving us a FULL BOX SET of her new She's Crafty video series.
Winner: Mella Surlin 


The amazing Fisk-a-teers just donated 2 $50 prize packs to our Newsletter Giveaway!  Do they rock or what?!?
Winners: Dorothy Hassay and LeAnn Koncar



Provo Craft has generously given us a Cricut Imagine to give away to one lucky reader! (ships after October)  You can see a quick video about this amazing new tool HERE.
Winner:  Alexanda Lundgren

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Vendor Spotlight : Top Notch Templates by No Bow...No Go

Reported by Melissa Norris

Top Notch Templates by No Bow...No Go are templates used to assist you in creating amazing, boutique hair bows. I  will admit to being skeptical of this system. I said to myself "I've made bows before, why would I need this." Then, I remind myself that yes, I have made bows for my daughter in the past, but usually ended up taking me a long time, having to get someone to help me hold, while I twisted wire, or worst, the bows ended up falling apart after one or two wearings. So I decided to go in with an open mind, and give the system a try.

First, let's get started on what the system is about. There are bow templates, which are made of durable, quality materials, and instructions for how to make the bows. You can create your own kit on the website, so you can choose from as many templates as you like, bow instructions (in the form of either a printed, spiral-bound book; 3-hole-punched book, or and eBook). For the purpose of review, I received the full, spiral bound book (which was wonderful) and 12 templates. I also received the Clip Grips, which are self-stick, non-slip pads to help hold the clips on, especially for baby-fine hair.

Knowing from experience, I decided to read through the book and understand what was going on before getting into the bow making. The instructions are very detailed and organized and feature instructions for 8 various bows, as well as some enhancements, to take the basic bows further. There are also pages on how to line alligator clips for use, set up your work area, seal the ends of ribbon, and set the finished bows, so that they retain their shape, wear after wear. One of my favorite parts of the instructions involves a photo of all of the finished bows and the various templates needed.

After reading through the instructions and tips, I got my work area set up. You don't need much to get started. Just some ribbon, clips, scissors, needle and thread, and something to seal the ends. Suggestions are offered, as well as alternatives if you don't have something listed. In the past I have used fray check or clear nail polish to seal the ends of my ribbon, but did you know you could use the side of a wood burning tool? I didn't until I saw it in the book! It quickly melts the trimmed edge and creates a nice seal.

So, lets get started creating a bow! The templates are easy to use, and the instructions are very easy to follow. You just wrap your ribbon around the template according to the instructions, then clip into place (with clips using non-slip material) so your ribbon doesn't slide off. Until you want it to, of course!

After you get the ribbon in place, you stitch up the middle in the "slot" of the template. The instructions detail how many stitches, and which ribbons to go through to get the bow to crease the correct way. After completing your stitches, you just remove the clips and slide the bow off. You also don't finish off your stitch, just leave the thread a bit long because you pull it to tighten the bow, then wrap it around and stitch to finish.

You then attach your bow to the clip of your choosing (with hot glue) and create a center. There are instructions in the book for creating 3 different centers, straight, pyramid, or knotted. You then wrap your center around your bow and clip and you're finished!

There is also a great set of instructions for an Itty Bitty bow. This bow is 1" wide and only uses 5" of ribbon. Such a great way to use up ribbon scraps and make cute bows that can be used on scrapbook pages, cards and more.

The Itty Bitty bow is made using one side of the 2 template and is super simple to make. 

The templates and instructions in the book are a great starting point, but you don't have to be limited to hair bows attached to clips. My daughter is really into headbands right now, so I decided to add a bow to a headband instead.

Here is my bow after finishing the work on the template and stitching shut. All I need to do next is add my center. 

I added a dab of glue to the back and stuck the bow on. I went with a knotted center, and wrapped the excess around the headband, gluing into place.

And here is the finished product. Such a quality bow and it didn't make me go nuts in the process!

Now she's ready to go!

Pros:

• Easy, easy, easy! And seriously, each one took 5 minutes to complete.
• Versatile - The bows made with the templates can be used for anything and everything.
• Detailed - The instructions are quite detailed, so if you get confused, don't worry!

Cons:

• Cost can be high if you don't see yourself using the product multiple times
• Not many other uses besides making bows.

The basic starter set begins at $19.95 and includes 4 templates and instructions. The price goes up for more templates or the printed instructions and can be purchased direct from their website.

Overall, I think this is a great product. I can definitely see myself using the templates again in the future for a variety of projects including gift wrapping and holiday decor. And when I said easy, I meant it. If you have the supplies on hand, several bows can be whipped up quickly for birthday party gifts or a quick bow to match and cute new dress. I look forward to making more!

The No Bow No Go Instruction booklet and TNT Top Notch Templates can be purchased online at their website {NoBowNoGo.com}.

What do you think? Look like something you'd be interested in using? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Disclosure

Retractable Craft Scratcher by Tim Holtz

Reported by Taylor Usry

Have you seen this great Retractable Craft Scratcher from Tim Holtz? I came across it about a year ago and snapped it up immediately. Since then it has become an indispensable tool for distressing all of my projects. It's a small (about the size of a pen) tool that packs a big punch!

The scratcher retails for around $5.00 and is widely available online and in stores that sell Tim Holtz/Tonic Studios products. It is comfortable to hold and easy to operate - just push down on the lock and slide it into place. The wires will extend and you are all set! To retract them, push the lock down again and slide it back up. It's that simple! Here is the "official" description of this tool:

Distress photos, papers, cardstock, chipboard, Grungeboard™, polymer clay, and even metal with this handy wire brush. Go lightly over your surfaces or apply more pressure for heavily grunged looks: you are in complete control with this tool! The kushgrip handle provides a comfortable non-slip grip, while the wire brush fully retracts into it for safe transport and storage.

Sounds fun, doesn't it? It is! I'm going to share a variety of my favorite products to use it with.


First up are acrylic tags. These happen to be Fragments by Tim Holtz. I started by using the tool to scratch both sides of the tag, and then stamped my sentiment on it using Staz-on ink.


You can see the difference between the tag that I left plain, and the tag that I distressed.

Next I tried the scratcher with some polymer clay. I've always made my little clay trinkets by using the tool first, and then baking it. But for this demo I did it both ways. On the left are the different things you can do with the tool before baking - poke holes (my favorite), wavy lines, straight grooves, dotted grooves. Then I baked the clay in the oven, and tried the tool on the right side (after it cooled). You can just barely see faint scratch marks left by the tool. It will work in a pinch.


Here is the tool with cardstock (Stampin Up) and designer paper (Basic Grey). This cardstock is not white-cored, but I have used it on that kind before with very cool effects. You can see in the photo that the more you go over an area with the tool, the more distressed it will get. On the designer paper, it begins to pull up small areas and reveal the white core. On the cardstock it gets a bit fuzzy.


This is a small metal tag I have had forever. It scratched up like nobody's business. I love the way the wire bristles scuff up metal. It only took about 30 seconds to take this tag from completely smooth to this scratched up. You don't have to work hard at all.


I tried it on plain chipboard next. These are actually the 4" x 4" coasters, medium thickness. On the left side, with the blue and red ink, I went over the coaster with the scratcher several times before sponging on the ink. Can you see all of the grooves and lines? The coaster has a much grungier feel to it than the one on the right, with just blue ink sponged on to it.


Lastly I used the scratcher on Tim Holtz's Grungeboard. The keyhole on the left has been scratched up using the tool, and then had distress ink sponged on. The key on the right just had ink sponged on to it. Notice how on the keyhole the grooves from the scratcher soaked up more ink? You can see the "grain" much better on that one.

I absolutely love this little tool. It is an inexpensive, versatile addition to my craft arsenal. I'm so glad I happened upon it!

Pros:

• Small, lightweight, portable
• Very affordable price
• Kushgrip makes it comfortable to hold and use

Cons:

• When using with polymer clay, the clay can gunk up the wires. It's easily cleanable, but takes patience on occasion.
• There aren't any other cons, in my opinion!!

The Tonic Studios Tim Holtz 373 Retractable Craft Scratcher and refills Tonic Studios Tim Holtz 374 Refill Blades for Retractable Craft Scratcher, Pack of 4 are available at Amazon.com. If you buy them by clicking that link, you'll be helping support Craft Critique!

Have you used the Tim Holtz Craft Scratcher? What fun things do you use them on? Leave us a comment and let us know!


Disclosure

Loew Cornell Style Stix

Reported by Lisa Fulmer

When I was at the CHA Super Show, I picked up a couple of these Style Stix wedge brushes by Loew Cornell. It's a stiff, tapered sponge brush available in various widths, good for "stripes, petals & swashes." Style Stix also come in cone or dome shapes - in addition to painting, they are said to work nicely for shaping clay.

I started playing with stripes and found that the sponge does not pick up as much paint as I thought it would, perhaps because it is so much more dense that a cosmetic sponge or craft sponge brush. It does make a nice straight line, once you get the right amount of paint loaded on. It leaves a little ridge along the edge, which may or may not be desirable. I liked using the tip to make little stitch marks.

I used the ridges to my advantage and painted simple crisscross strokes to get an interesting abstract geometric pattern.

The tapered shape does make creating petal and leaf shapes really easy in just 2 curved strokes. I liked going back over it with the tip to create random ridges in my leaves and petals.

I worked with acrylic paints, both alone and with a little acrylic medium blended in. Style Stix releases the paint quite differently than brushes or sponges...takes a little getting used to, but once I did, I started having fun with the textures.

Then I wanted to play with the "swash" aspect, so I poured a puddle of shimmering ink on my paper and used the tip of the Style Stix to feather it all out. Now I liked that the Style Stix is not absorbent; I was able to move the ink around yet still keep it looking streaky. This will make an awesome background for an ATC!

After a lot of painting and rinsing and stubbing and squishing, my Style Stix really took a beating. But I was happy with how nicely the edges stayed sharp, they didn't turn nappy at all.

I think my favorite way to use the Style Stix though, is as a blending tool for pastels and chalk powders. So much easier to work with than a paper stump - the tapered edge give lots of fine line control, and the texture and density of the sponge is perfect for gently moving the colors together.

Pros:

• Inexpensive and sturdy
• Variety of widths
• Interesting way to add curves, lines and texture
• Perfect density for blending dry mediums

Cons:

• Tapered wedge shape is pretty limited to making flower parts
• Takes some time to get used to how it loads and releases paint

Have you used the Style Stix by Loew Cornell? Were you able to use their unique properties to your advantage? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Disclosure

Studio by Sculpey 5-in-1 Clay Tool

Reported by Jessica Ripley


Being new to working with clay (beyond rolling three balls and calling it a snowman that is), when I first got the urge to peruse the clay tools in my local craft store I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for. It was during this browsing that the 5-in-1 Clay Tool from Sculpey caught my eye. While there were several separate tools available, the 5-in-1 version just seemed like it included a lot more bang for the buck. At a retail price of around $15.00, with other tools costing close to $7.00 or $8.00 each, it was the clear winner for my first foray into clay arts.

Sold as part of Sculpey’s Studio Line of products, the tool comes with five interchangeable heads that attach to a handle with a long metal post that links to a magnet inside the handle itself.


They include:

• A cutting blade (and plastic safety cover)
• Metal ball shaped head
  
• Needle tool (and plastic safety cover)
• Flexible chisel shaped tool
• Flexible cone shaped tool
  

Sculpey has also included a storage case for all 5 heads to keep them from rolling around on your work surface, and to keep them together. I definitely appreciated this, but would love it even more if that storage base also had a place for the handle. Also the interchangeable heads don’t fit especially snugly in the storage base and fall out easily if it is tipped.It does have a sturdy bottom, so this will only happen if you accidentally knock it over (like me, who is not the most graceful person in the world).

However, even though they don't fit into the storage base snugly, the interchangeable heads fit into and then stayed in the handle just fine. Held in place by a strong magnet, I never felt any of the heads were very loose as I worked with them. As this was my biggest worry about the tool when I purchased it, I was really pleased with the performance.

The handle itself is ergonomically shaped. It's thicker in the middle, and the way it rests in your palm gives you a little more control. The material it’s made out of is a little soft and comfortable as well.

Below are brief experiments with each of the interchangeable heads:

Cutting Blade:
The cutting blade was sharp and worked well for its purpose. The grip to the handle is strong enough that the blade didn’t turn in the handle and allowed for even cuts.


Caution needs to be used when removing the blade though, as that magnetized grip is indeed strong, and you have to actually grab the blade to remove it. It would be nice if the plastic safety cover could somehow be used for that purpose.


Metal Ball Shaped Head:
The ball portion of the tool is a good size and is great for making round indentation or wavy edges.


It also has a very sturdy feel to it. I had a little trouble rolling it around in my palm, as it did turn a bit inside the handle.

Needle Tool:
This is actually the tool I think I will find myself reaching for the most. It has a nice length to it so will be wonderful for drilling holes in clay beads, and also has a sharp tip that will be good for adding details to any project.



Again, it is sharp, so a little caution is necessary when installing and removing it, but it also comes with a protective cover to be used while it is in the storage base.

Flexible Tools, chisel shaped and round cone shaped:
These both worked very well for smoothing out areas, such as seams.



The material they are made of is a hard rubber, and so the chisel shape is more flexible than the cone (at its thinner edge). Both came in handy and worked great for getting rid of finger prints from handling the clay too.

Finally, I wanted to try a project using a varying combination of the different heads. For this little Batman figure I used the blade to trim his mask, the flexible chisel shape to add some detail to his cape, the needle tool to add detail to the belt, and flexible cone shape and metal ball to smooth out some fingerprints.


Okay, still very snowman-like, but somehow much cooler.

After playing a bit with all of the interchangeable heads I was convinced I had made the right choice when I placed the 5-in-1 tool in my basket. Not only did it have those 5 tools, the actual uses for those tools were at least twice that. Though there are just a couple of things mentioned above that could possibly be improved on, I was completely happy with the purchase.

To sum up:

Pros:

• Comes with 5 interchangeable heads that have at least 10 + uses, which is a great bargain for the buck.
• Heads all stay in place well when connected to the handle; the magnet is very strong.
• Everything seems to be sturdy and well made, I have no fear of anything wearing out any time soon.
  

Cons:

• The storage base that is included for the 5 heads is handy, but I wish there was a place on it to store the handle so it could all be kept together.
• Taking out the blade might be dangerous if you aren’t very careful, as you have to grab the blade to do so (I wish the safety cap could be put back on first).
• If you already own similar tools, the 5-in-1 may not be as convenient an item to have in your stash.
  

Do you work with clay and own this tool or any others that you enjoy? Any other good ideas for using any of the 5 interchangeable heads? I'd love to learn from you!

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