PAPER CRAFTING TOOLS - PART ONE

The Basics for Beginners

I did not follow the advice I'm about to give you. I still struggle not to over buy when all the new paper collections come out, there is a sale, a new tool looks too cool to pass up, or a new Close to My Heart catalog becomes available. 

You can really get started scrapbooking, card making, etc. with very few supplies. Some tools don't have to be top of the line, but other items you really should splurge on to get the best results possible. I hope my list will help you make some informed decisions, so that you don't waste money, or time.

There is nothing worse than working hard on a handmade card, and having the layers fall apart because your adhesive didn't stick. Also, cheap paper will let you down. I have some scrapbook layouts that I have to re-do because of cheap paper, and ineffective adhesive.

Adhesives

• A liquid adhesive with a great hold will allow you a little time to adjust the placement of your pictures, etc. My preferences are Tombow (available at craft stores), and Close to My Heart's  Liquid Glass.
•  You will want double-sided tape, or a tape gun. I use the Teresa Collins Xyron tape runner because I find it easy to load the refills, it gets the job done, it fits my hand, and it's pink. 
• Mini glue dots will help you adhere very small items without making a mess. I use Micro Glue Dots.

Paper

•  CTMH paper packs are great because they have  double-sided prints, and solid colored cardstock, that coordinates.
• CTMH Workshops on the Go are the same coordinating paper packs, along with a stamp set, an embelishment, and instruction booklet.
• Graphic 45 comes out with paper packs with a lovely vintage feel. The big box craft stores don't carry a lot of Graphic 45. Amazon has the best price I have found.
• Bo Bunny is another paper manufacturer that has great quality, and interesting themes. Again, try Amazon for the best price.
• I do not often buy pads of paper. This is because I usually only like about half the papers in the pack. I'm then stuck with papers I don't want to use. I learned this the hard way, of course.

Seaside Workshop on the Go

Scissors and Trimmers

• My all time favorite scissors are the Tim Holtz Ionic scissors. They are sharp, have a nice point, are comfortable to use, and the blades stay clean. They would be perfect if they came in pink.
• The slicer that I have, finally, settled on is the Sure Cut Deluxe Paper Trimmer. I tried lots of trimmers, but this one has a nice wide base, and the replacement blades are inexpensive. 

Scrapbooks

• You can purchase scrapbooks inexpensively at any craft store, but I would not recommend buying them. I have a few that are not in very good shape now.
• I now use Close to My Heart Scrapbooks. They come in D-Ring, and post bound.  
• I have seen some nicer scrapbooks, in the section of the craft stores near the Project Life supplies. I can not endorse them, as I have not tried them.
•  Remember, you will work hard to put together layouts to preserve your memories. You want them to be protected.

 

 

Misc.

• A bone folder is a nice item to have. You can see an example of one here. They help you make a nice crease on your cards.
•  I love my scoring boards. If you are a card maker, I think they are a must have. I have two, because one is for big projects, and one is more portable for travel. The large one I use is the Martha Stewart score board. The travel size I use is the Close to My Heart score board.
• Having a nice mat to put down on your table is a good idea. The Versamat is a nice choice. This will help protect your table. One side is cushioned for stamping, and the other is self-healing for cutting. The grids also come in handy when lining up projects.

 

These are just the basics. As you continue crafting, I'm sure you will want to add stamps, inks, ribbon, twine, buttons, markers, and all sorts of embelishments. The trick is to buy what you need for each project, and not just everything that is "too cute to pass up." 

 

I will continue this series with more items that you will want to explore as you become more crafty.

 

You also might want to stay tuned as I work on getting my craft room, and office space, in order. It is something I struggle with, besides wanting to buy all of the "too cute to pass up" items.

 

Let me know if you agree with my beginners list. 

 

    

REVIEW ~ HEIDI SWAPP MINI STENCILS

Having fun with a new product!

  

I found these cute, mini stencils at my local Michael's, and they were on sale. These stencils come in four different designs; patterns, frames, shapes, and words. They are the usual great quality that you can expect from Heidi Swapp products.

I was only able to locate the frames, and patterns, packs. Each package comes with six different stencils, and six 3 x 2 pieces of white cardstock. 

I did a little experimenting with them today. I think they are well worth the $8.99, especially if they are on sale, or you use a coupon. I hope you will enjoy my video demo below. I really enjoyed these stencils, and I know I will be using them in future projects.

I was able to take a Heidi Swapp class at a Scrapbook Expo, and she is really very sweet. I have some of her color change products, about 8 color shine sprays, and have made a few of her folder mini albums. I think my favorite are the color change items.

 I hope you enjoy the video below. Let me know if you have any Heidi Swapp products, and if so, which are your favorites?

NOVEMBER STAMP OF THE MONTH

It's the Little Things

There are so many project ideas in my head for the November stamp of the month. I know I will be doing some layering of flower parts.  Here are a few of the project examples from Close to My Heart designers. 

The best part is this stamp set is just $5 with any $50 purchase during the month of November. Don't delay because this stamp set will go away at the end of November.  I will have a video up soon showing how I'm using this versatile stamp set. 

What would you do with this set?  Cards, scrapbook layouts, or home decor items? 

FALL FUN AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Pumpkins, scarecrows, and grandchildren

We had a great time, as usual, selecting the perfect pumpkins. Last year my granddaughter was all about the cute "bitsy" pumpkins. This year she tried to select one that her dad could carve for her. What a difference a year makes.

 Another difference this year was that my grandson did not want to pose for pictures. This pout was in every photo. He did, however, try to get the largest pumpkin just like last year. 

I need to get these photos in a scrapbook, but I'm having trouble selecting the right paper collection. I am debating between two.

Scaredy Cat

Pathfinding

 Which one do you think I should use? I'm leaning towards Pathfinding, because there is a stamp in the Workshop on the Go that says "Smile it's the best day ever." I think I should stamp that next to my grandsons frowning face. 

You can see all of the paper collections on my website . Be sure to leave a comment and let me know which paper collection you prefer. 

CHRISTMAS 2014 ~ GETTING THINGS DONE

A Simple Holiday Layout and Matching Cards

There were a few projects that I didn't complete during the Close to My Heart Waco, TX incentive trip. Actually, I didn't even start most of them. I'm finally getting around to making a few things, so I thought I would share. I hope you enjoy the video below. It is the first of my Christmas videos. The videos are getting a little easier to make, so hopefully I can post a few each week. I need the incentive to get my Christmas Cards finished. After the video I will have links to all of the products used.

Products Used

Yuletide Carol Paper Pack
My Crush Holiday Happenings Assortment
Gold Sequins Assortment


Thank you for your support. I hope the rest of you have gotten a start on your holiday planning. I am behind as usual. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I would love to hear all about your holiday plans.

CLOSE TO MY HEART WORKSHOP ON THE GO

EASY TO USE SCRAPBOOK KITS

Pathfinding layout

I had a very fun box on my porch when I returned home yesterday. I have never actually seen the Fed Ex man, but I'm pretty sure he is one of my new best friends. Inside the box were 3 of the Close to my Heart Workshop on the Go kits. You can check out the video below to see what the items in each kit look like. I don't think I was clear in the video about the cardstock colors in each kit. I am going to list them along with the recommended ink colors for each kit.

Pathfinding Workshop on the Go

Six 12 x 12 background and texture papers (2 each of 3 double-sided designs)

Exclusive Stamp Set

Two Colonial White cardstock

Two Champagne  cardstock

Two Chocolate  cardstock

One Autumn Terracotta  cardstock

One Goldrush  cardstock

One Olive  cardstock

Ten-piece wooden and cork adhesive-backed assortment

Bling gems assortment

One Instructional Brochure

Recommended Ink Colors are Autumn Terracotta, Chocolate, Goldrush, and Olive 

Confetti Wishes Scrapbook Layout

Confetti Wishes Workshop on the Go

Six 12 x 12 background and texture papers (2 each of 3 double-sided designs)

Exclusive Stamp Set

Two Canary cardstock

Two Pacifica cardstock

One Crystal Blue cardstock

One Thistle cardstock

Two Kraft  cardstock

Two White Daisy  cardstock

One Package assorted dimensional embelishments

One Gold Shimmer Trim

One Instructional Brochure

Recommended Ink Colors are Canary, Pacifica, Pear and Thistle

Seaside Scrapbook Layout

Seaside Workshop on the Go

Six 12 x 12 background and texture papers (2 each of 3 double-sided designs)

Exclusive Stamp Set

Two Desert Sand  cardstock

Two Glacier  cardstock

Two Colonial White  cardstock

One Sorbet  cardstock

One Pear  cardstock

One Package Aqua Dots

One Package Seaside Assortment

One Instructional Brochure

Recommended Ink Colors are Desert Sand, Glacier, Pear, and Sorbet

Have you used a Workshop on the Go kit before? Please leave a comment or any questions below.