Greetings, Fellow Scrappers!
The world of crafting is filled to overflowing with tools for every kind of hobby imaginable!
This guide is intended for new crafters who are looking for some help with selecting basic tools for the craft that you have decided to pursue.
I've been a craft-a-holic for a long time, so I'm pleased to share some of the tips and shortcuts that I've discovered through my many years of crafting trial and error...
Let's learn more about paper, fiber, embellishments.. and the tools to use them.
Join me on a tour of my virtual crafty closet, and discover some of the tools and supplies that will allow you to express your creative self in the arena of scrapbooking!
Watch Your Step... Your Train Will Be Leaving Momentarily!
Thank-You For Joining Me, Ladies & Gentlemen!
"Please keep your hands and feet inside the train at all times!"
That's a decision that really can't be determined until you know what your chosen craft will be.
In the case of a rookie crafter, you'll want to focus on purchasing the essential tools you need, without wasting your budget for purchasing your crafting supplies!
Focus on Scrapbooking
You can begin with basics like scissors, glue, and embellishments... then add to your collection as you become more familiar with scrapbooking techniques.
Don't be afraid to experiment... there are no mistakes, only opportunities to express yourself in a different manner on your next project!
Believe me, when you begin to scrapbook, you will soon find yourself completely addicted!
Fiber and Stickers Are Some of My Favorite Embellishments
Some of My Favorite Crafting Tools
These are a few of the tools that I use for daily crafting!
Toot! Toot!
Floral Arranging Too...
Paper Scissors
Fiber & Stickers
Stamp Pads & Acr...
Personal Paper Trimm...
My Sizzix Machine!
Sizzix Dies
Sizzix Dies
Sizzix Alphabet Dies
Paper Cutter
Paper Tools
Sizzix Adapter
Acrylic Stamps
Glue
Dowel Rods
Clothespins
Craft Sticks & C...
Craft Sticks
Transfer Pens
Glue Guns & Glue...
Measuring Tools
Paintbrushes, Pencil...
Staple Gun
Glitter
Sandpaper
Shoe Bag Organizer
Silk Flowers
Scrapbook Storage
Scrapbook Embellishm...
Scrapbook Embellishm...
Rotary Cutting Tools...
Envelope & Card...
Miniature Drawers
Mini Storage for Die...
Octavia
Star Stencils
Toothbrush Holder Fi...
Photo Mounting Squar...
Jewelry Bags
Cricut Personal Paper Trimmer
Used for trimming small pieces of scrapbooking papers
Cricut 29-0012 Trimmer
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 01/09/2009)
The personal trimmer makes it easy to cut nice, straight lines when you are cutting small pieces of paper.
The blades can be replaced so you can keep on cutting!
Paper Cutter
Perfect for cutting 12" x 12" papers, or several layers at one time
Swingline ClassicCut 12 Inch Guillotine Paper Trimmer, CL300 - 9112
Amazon Price: $44.16 (as of 01/09/2009)
I love this type of paper cutter!
You can cut an entire sheet in one cut... even when you are cutting 12" x 12" sheets.
Cutting several layers at one time is a huge time saver!
Sizzix Die Cutter
A great time saver when you need many copies of a particular shape
Sizzix Sidekick Starter Kit
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
The Sidekick is a smaller version of the Sizzix... I haven't added this one to my collection... Yet!
Sizzix Dies
You can cut many different shapes with a collection of Sizzix dies
Provo Craft Cuttlebug Machine
Amazon Price: $62.48 (as of 01/09/2009)
The Cuttlebug is another die cutting option. The main difference is size, and the selection of dies designed for each machine.
The other great feature about the Cuttlebug is that it also embosses!
Sizzix Dies
Dies come in a variety of shapes and sizes
Doll Graduation Die Set 38-0113
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Graduation is a celebration that will continue year after year.
With your own graduation die, you will be able to create cards and invitations for your child as they graduate from kindergarden to grad school!
Cutting Letters of the Alphabet is Easy With a Sizzix Machine!
Shadow Box Alphabet Set - Sizzix
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
There are a number of different styles of alphabets available for your Sizzix... a font for everyone!
Basic Paper Tools
The seahorse toothbrush holder I store them in is just for fun!
Tracing Stylus
Double-Ended Tracing Stylus Wood Handle 5-1/2
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
This is a must have for projects that require transferring a pattern to your painting surface.
The stylus gives you the ability to "draw" the design with pressure instead of ink... which saves time on re-creating patterns that are used frequently.
Bone Folder
Bone Folder
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
A boning tool is used to give you nice, sharp creases for cardmaking.
Xacto Knife
Xacto X3001 Razor Knife, No. 1 Knife With No. 11 Blade
Amazon Price: $4.31 (as of 01/09/2009)
Palette Knife
Liquitex Palette Knives- Small Knife #4
Amazon Price: $3.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
A palette knife works just as well as a boning tool.
Hemostat
Curved Hemostats
Amazon Price: $2.97 (as of 01/09/2009)
A hemostat is a medical instrument, but it's also great for the crafter who is working with beads, sequins, tiny little wiggle eyes... or a host of other crafting projects that require precision placement!
Carving Tools
4 Deluxe Dental Tools - Picks
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
These are actually sculpting tools, but there are times that I find them useful for a scrapbooking project.
Anything that helps with tiny little details is a welcome addition to a scrappers toolbox!
Now, Tell Me... How Could I Go Home Without These Beautiful Seahorses!
Sizzix Adapter
Sizzix System Converter
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
The adapter doubles the cutting power of your die cutter by allowing you to use the Sizzlit dies as well as full size dies.
Sizzix Adapter
Used for cutting "Sizzlits"... that's a miniature die!
Acrylic Stamps
Crystal clear for easy placement
Acrylic Blocks for Stamping
ACRYLIC STAMP BLOCK SET OF 3-1/2 THICK 1.25X1.25 2X2 & 2.5X3.5
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
Acrylic Stamp Block 4"X6"-4" X 6" X .5"
Amazon Price: $6.25 (as of 01/09/2009)
ACRYLIC STAMP BLOCK W/GRIPS ROUND 4.5-4.5 DIAMETER
Amazon Price: $14.79 (as of 01/09/2009)
Acrylic Stamp Block Set Of 3
Amazon Price: $24.79 (as of 01/09/2009)
ACRYLIC STAMP BLOCK W/GRIPS 3X3-3 X 3 X .5
Amazon Price: $3.75 (as of 01/09/2009)
Ink Pads and Acrylic Blocks
Ink pads and refills are less expensive than purchasing them in a craft store!
Acrylic Blocks
Acrylic Stamps
Sandylion - Kelly Panacci Collection - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Funtastik Flowers
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Fancy Pants Acrylic Stamp Set - Fresh Mod
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
Sandylion - Kelly Panacci Collection - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Memo
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Sandylion - Kelly Panacci Collection - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Funky Flowers
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Sandylion - Kelly Panacci Collection - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Borders
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Flickr Vid
Do You Want to See More Tools? ... Then Let's Stick to It!
Glue guns are a basic necessity for any well-seasoned crafter! They are available in a wide array of sizes and colors, and in various temperature capabilities.
High temp and low temp are the most commonly used glue guns for general crafting.
There are times that you might need to use the smaller glue gun for a scrapbooking project, but you will most often use double sided tape, photo mounting corners, or a liquid glue.
Miniature Glue Gun
Mini Lo-Temp Glue Gun With Trigger - White
Amazon Price: $3.79 (as of 01/09/2009)
Toot! Toot! All Aboard For Connie's Craft-a-Holics Club!
Glue Gun Pad
Hot Glue Gun Pad 8 X8
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
When your glue gun gets hot, the glue begins to drip like honey!
Protect your work surface with a hot pad made just for hot glue! The glue is easy to remove from the pad... AFTER it has cooled; of course!
Preventive measures like this make it easy to keep your work area clean and tidy... with minimum clean-up effort!
Glue Guns and Glue Sticks
Mini Glue Sticks
All-Temp Glue Sticks 5/16''X4''-100/Pkg Mini
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
My Standard Collection of Glues
Scotch Tacky Glue
Photo Mounting Corners - Clear
3M Scotch Photo Corners Self Adhesive 250/Box, Clear
Amazon Price: $3.29 (as of 01/09/2009)
I love to use these little squares for card making, because they adhere your pieces without leaving ridges or bleeding through like liquid glue.
Besides that, I just love peeling off the little tabs and strategically positioning them on my photos or die cuts.
Crafting is more than just "making something."
Engaging in and enjoying the creative process is as rewarding as your finished project!
Photo Mounting Corners - Black
Photo Corners Self Adhesive, 250/Box: Black
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Photo Mounting Squares & Corners
Photo Mounting Corners - Gold
Gallery Leather Scrapbooks Embossed, Acid-free Photo Mounting Corners, Gold
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Photo Mounting Corners - Olde White
Lineco Photo Mount Corners, Ivory
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Miniature Storage Drawers Are Perfect For Die Cuts
Jewelry Bags Are Perfect Storage for Small Die Cut Pieces
Scrapbook Storage
Scrapbook Organizer - Holds Pages, Photos and Supplies
Amazon Price: $41.50 (as of 01/09/2009)
This is one of the smaller organizers that is available for organizing your scrapbook supplies. This is a good option for someone who is just beginning to scrapbook.
Storage on Wheels
Storage on Wheels
Crop In Style XXL Navy Blue Scrapbooking Tote Bag
Amazon Price: (as of 01/09/2009)
Many craft stores offer scrapbooking classes for beginners or "open crop" nights for those who like to join fellow croppers for a night of fun and creative frenzy.
This type of storage is known as a "crop hopper."
Perfect for the scrapper who is off to the classroom!
Storage For the Serious Scrapbooker!
Advantus 34007 Portable ten-drawer organizer, chrome metal frame/drawer pulls, smoke drawers
Amazon Price: $69.95 (as of 01/09/2009)
Massive storage for the serious scrapbooker!
This is a good selection for the classroom, or the studio of a scrap-a-holic!
For More Crafting Tips and Inspiration, Please Visit My Website!
Now That You Have Begun to Fill Your Toolbox...
I'll let you know when my tutorials are ready... I'm having a lot of fun preparing the curriculum that has been a figment of my imagination for so long!
Take a look at my Architect's sketch of the eBook Emporium that will house all of those great patterns... grab your hard hat, and follow the link to see a sneak peek of Connie's Chronicle.
It's my newsletter that will keep you up to date about all my latest crafts, patterns and lesson plans.
Thanks for visiting... Enjoy the sneak preview!
Your password is:
love2craft
Connie's Chronicle-Sneak Peek
Connie's Craft-a-Holics Club Blog
I share my thoughts about the project of the day, or season... it's a quick and easy way for me to give you some ideas between newsletters.
I also like to keep you up to date on events and special occasions. For instance, did you know that September is National Sewing Month?
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byArchitect's Sketch
Grab Your Hard Hat... Connie's Emporium is Under Construction!
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I Love Feedback!
gcinks wrote...
This lens has a wealth of information. I like the pictures of the tools you use. If you have time you might want to check out my blog which specifically deals in Scrapbooking Cutters: http://scrapbookingcutters.brighterplanet.org. Thanks again!
Posted November 20, 2008
alteredkat wrote...
ok, your flickr photos had me drooling to come over and play! :o) Thanks for your kind comments on my Scrabble tile pendant lens! I appreciate it! :o)
Kat
Posted August 29, 2008
