Besides ink, paper, and stamps, there are ten essential tools I recommend for every starting stamper.
1. Stampin' Trimmer - The Stampin' Trimmer is my best friend. You can cut and score with this baby! The Stampin' Trimmer is excellent because the blades slide on a track instead of a wire. Wires fray and bend, making curvy, ragged cuts instead of smooth, straight, and crisp cuts. Plus, there is a storage compartment on the back to store extra blades and tools. Love this!
2. Clear Blocks - These are vital for your clear-mounted stamps. There are 9 different sizes, ranging from 1-3/16" x 1-1/4" to 5-7/8" x 2-1/4". Each clear-mounted stamp set has the recommended clear block size listed on the package and in the catalog. It is important to use the appropriately-sized clear block to achieve a crisp, evenly stamped image. If the block is too big, it could rock and make a blurred image or ink could transfer to the clear block and mark your image with ink splotches. If the block is too small, the entire image may not be evenly inked.
3. Stampin' Scrub - This is a two-sided felt pad designed to clean (paired with Stampin' Mist Cleaner) and dry your stamps. Each felted pad is marked to show the wet side (rain drop) and the dry side (sun). Spritz Stampin' Mist Cleaner on the wet side, rub your stamp around the felt pad. Then wipe the stamp on the dry side. It's as easy and as quick as that! The Stampin' Scrub cuts down on the waste too because you don't need additional paper towels or baby wipes to clean your stamps.
4. Adhesives - There are a lot of adhesives to choose from! Each type of adhesive is tailored to specific needs from removable and low tack to permanent and stronger adhesion. They are also acid free.
- Fast Fuse - This is a strong, instant bond tape-style adhesive. Fast Fuse is used to adhere card layers and 3D projects such as boxes and bags. Fast Fuse is stronger than SNAIL Adhesive, making it deal for dimensional paper projects. Fast Fuse is similar to Tear & Tape Adhesive in its strength. Fast Fuse is refillable.
- SNAIL Adhesive - This is another instant bond, tape-style adhesive that is great for card layers and embellishments. SNAIL is refillable.
- Mini Glue Dots - These are little circles of stickiness used to adhere smaller layers or embellishments.
- Stampin' Dimensionals - These are foam hexagons with adhesive on the top and on the bottom. They adhere and raise embellishments, card stock, etc to give depth to your project.
- Crystal Effects - Crystal Effects is a clear gel that can be used as both an adhesive and an embellishment. To use as an adhesive, use as you would the Multipurpose Liquid Glue or craft glue. You can also use Crystal Effects to adhere buttons, vellum, and window sheets. To use as embellishment, spread Crystal Effects over your project to create a lacquered look and allow to dry thoroughly.
- Multipurpose Liquid Glue - This is a white, liquid glue that dries clear. It has a narrow tip on one end and a broad tip on the other. It has a strong bond and can be used to adhere card layers, embellishments, glitter, and 3D projects. Multipurpose Liquid Glue is quick to bond but has a few moments to shift or move around for precise placement.
- Stampin' Glue Sticks - Stampin' Glue Sticks are diamond-shaped glue sticks. The are great for card layers and embellishments. They are fast drying with a little re-positioning time.
- 2- Way Glue Pen - This is a blue glue pen that dries clear. You can use this pen 2 ways. The first way is as a removable, low tack adhesive. Put the adhesive on and allow it to dry completely. The second way is as a permanent adhesive. Put the adhesive on and immediately stick to the other surface. This is great for embellishments, glitter, thinner strips of paper, and card layers.
- Tear & Tape Adhesive - This is similar to Fast Fuse. This is a strong, instant bond tape-style adhesive. This is great for 3D projects, thicker pieces of cardstock or embellisments.
- Fine-Tipped Glue Pen - The Fine-Tipped Glue Pen is a clear gel glue with a narrow metal tip. This is ideal for smaller embellishments and thin strips of paper or delicate die cuts, such as the Butterfly Framelits and Hello You Thinlits.
6. Bone Folder - A bone folder is the sidekick to the Stampin' Trimmer. It can crease and curl. The bone folder is more precise and effective than finger creasing alone. This is a staple in my classes and day to day paper crafting.
7. Big Shot - If the Stampin' Trimmer is my best friend, the Big Shot is my second best friend! I love the Big Shot. It makes my life so much easier and quicker! The Big Shot can emboss and cut like no one else! It embosses textured impressions embossing folders (TIEFs) and cuts thinlit dies, framelit dies, Bigz dies, and Bigz XL dies like butter!
8. Grid Paper - Grid Paper is an 11" x 17" sheet of ruled paper. Use it to catch ink, write notes on, and measure and line up projects. It also has a handy wish list and note area to keep track of your favorite products, ideas, and questions.
9. Paper Snips - These are some seriously sharp scissors! Snips have shorter, sharp blades for precision cutting with professional-looking results. Snips are also part of my must have for classes and for my day to day paper crafting.
10. Simply Scored - This is an entire board of scoring grooves. Pair it with the diagonal scoring plate and score to your hearts content. I purchased Simply Scored in one of my first orders with Stampin' Up! It can score paper to make boxes, bags, rosettes, envelopes, fold card bases, textured backgrounds, etc. The possibilities are endless!
Thanks for stopping by!
Beth
The products used in this post are:
